Last week we were met with tragedies in the OKC Metro. One involved the brutal beating of an off duty OKC Police Officer Chad Peery after he escorted three men out of a local pub and the tragic motorcycle accident in Edmond that took the life of Dr. Alan Day, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Edmond. It was a reminder again how fragile life really is and how one’s life can change in an instant. As I mentioned Sunday, I had the opportunity to pray in the ICU at OU Medical Center with Chad Peery, since I know his mother Janet through my downtown Rotary involvement as the Care Committee Chairman. They both were appreciative of my prayers. He is paralyzed at present, but I understand he has had some movement with his arms this week.

Last Sunday, just happened to be week two of my Red Letters of Jesus sermon series on the Beatitudes of Jesus; “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” We talked about how we’ve all had our hearts broken sometime in our life and the practical steps we can take to heal our broken hearts. How God uses His Word, The Family of God and His Holy Spirit to bring about healing and to provide comfort. II Corinthians 1:3-4 reminds us that “The God of all comfort comforts us all in all our troubles, so that we can comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

As I wrote a sympathy letter to the Congregation of Edmond First Baptist this week from our First Church Family; I realized how significant it is to mourn with those who mourn. It is a ministry God has called us all to – to enter into the suffering of others. As I shared Sunday, the Family of God can comfort like no other. We have resources those outside the family lack. Even a sympathy card means more when it comes from a Christian because “we do not grieve as those who have no hope.” Jesus is our Blessed Hope!

Do you know how much a sympathy card can mean to a person who is grieving?
Do you see it as a ministry or just a caring gesture? I believe it is a significant ministry; though one that at times seems difficult to fulfill. Not only because it takes some time and thought, but because some situations make it difficult to know what to say. I read an article by a Robert Bowers whose sister Margie had been murdered. He shares some of the lessons he discovered by the cards he received. I thought you might benefit from his discovery as well.

1. It only takes a few words. No matter how eloquent or simplistic, communicating is an expression of love. Each note meant someone had taken the time and energy to let us know they were thinking of us.

2. Belated can be a blessing. Don’t hesitate to send a note weeks or even months later. A belated message is often a much needed uplift the day it arrives.

3. Replay your memories. It doesn’t matter what it was or when it happened. “When I think of him or her, I think of kindness.” Such comments are precious reminders of some character trait or some long forgotten event. There is no greater comfort to the bereaved than to talk about their loved one.

4. Give your feelings a context. Sometimes it’s meaningful for the family to know what you were doing when you learned the news of the loved one’s death. It’s as though you are saying, “That moment was important to me.”

5. Wait to catch up on your own news. Focus your thoughts on the grieving person, avoiding the temptation of “catching them up” with your life.

6. Write out the verse, not just the reference. If a Bible verse is worth giving, it’s worth writing out. One caution: verses like Philipians 4:4 and Romans 8:28 should be used sensitively. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice” (Philipians 4:4). “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”(Romans 8:28). (Not everyone can “receive” those at the point of death or tragedy).

Thanks for the many ways you care for others in and outside of The Body of Christ!

Hope to see you this Sunday! Blessings –

Pastor Mark